nuclear power: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 26, 2026

News •

Space Nuclear Power Corporation Awarded DARPA Agreement for Ground Test of Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Controller • Oct. 21, 2026, 10:29 AM ET (SpaceNews)

Photos and Videos

Labeled diagram showing the process of a nuclear power plant with a pressurized-water reactor. Water circulates through the reactor core, heats to produce steam in a steam generator, which drives a turbine connected to an electric generator. Steam is then cooled in a condenser using water from a cooling tower, which releases nonradioactive water vapor. Control rods, pumps, and transmission lines are also indicated.

Diagram of a Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) nuclear reactor showing labeled components including the reactor core with control rods, calandria, pressure tubes, heavy water coolant and moderator, steam generator, turbine, electric generator, and water cooling system, with arrows indicating the flow of coolant, steam, and condenser water.

What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?

How tiny robots can clean up radioactive waste

How does radiation affect the human body?

Inside Finland's embrace of nuclear power

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

nuclear disaster nuclear weapon nuclear reactor energy conversion nuclear submarine Nuclear power nuclear power plant antinuclear movement nuclear ceramics nuclear energy wind power solar energy steam power hydroelectric power electric power tidal power hydraulic power waterpower What is the difference between energy and power?

Key People

Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai

Indian physicist and industrialist